Eyeglass case



June 30, 1942. oss 2,288,255

EYEGLASS CASE Filed June 10, 1940 22 INVENTOR 24 6 ATTORNEYS Patented June 30, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EYEGLASS CASE James E. Ross, Affton, Mo.

Application June 10, 1940, Serial No. 339,802 7 (01. 206-6) 3 Claims.

My invention relates to spectacle or eye-glass cases and has as one of the principal objects thereof the provision of a case of the above described character which is so constructed and arranged whereby the cover section may be conveniently and expeditiously operated to open and closed positions by the use of one hand.

Another object of my invention is to provide a case of the above described character which is simple in construction, durable in use, efficient in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof and depicting the cover section in open position.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In practicing my invention, as illustrated in the drawings, I provide a spectacle or eye-glass case 5 comprising elongated tray-like body and cover sections 6 and 1 respectively. The body section 6 is fashioned with a bottom 8 having curved margins terminating in a continuous substantially right angularly disposed portion defining the front, rear and end walls 9, l0 and II respectively of said section. The cover section is provided with a top |2 formed with a somewhat similar portion defining its front, rear and end walls |3, l4 and 5 respectively, as clearly illustrated in the drawing.

The rear walls of both of said sections are pivotally connected together by means of a hinge construction IS, the latter comprising a pair of spaced hinges H. The hinges are provided with leaves l8 alternately and integrally formed on the opposed margins of the rear walls l0 and I4, said leaves of each hinge being connected. together by means of a pintle I9.

The spatiality of the hinges defines a betweenity 20 for accommodating a coil spring 2| having its ends connected to detents 22 formed on said bottom and top respectively and in proximity to said hinge construction The spring 2| serves to yieldably hold said sections in either extreme open or closed relation.

The front wall of the body section is formed with an inwardly and outwardly inclined flange 23 fashioned centrally between its ends with a similarly inclined ajutment 24. The top of the cover section is formed with an indentation defined by a centrally disposed incurvation 25 in the front wall. When the sections are in closed relation the edge faces of the front wall l3 and incurvation 25 are disposed in appressed relation with the flange 23 and ajutment 24 respectively and with said faces marginating said flange and ajutment and defining on said ajutment an inwardly disposed and lengthwise extending marginiform lip 26 disposed in spatiality with respect to the top I2. The inner face of the top l2 adjacent the lip 26 has fixed thereto the inner end of a plate 21, the outer end of the latter being disposed in appressed relation with the outer face of the lip 26 as clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing. Interposed between the outer end of the plate 21 and the top 2 is a length of compacted corded material 28 for engagement with the end of the thumb of the operator to effect firm engagement therewith against slippin In operation, the sections being disposed in closed relation, the case is grasped in one hand of the operator with the fingers disposed thereunder and having their tips juxtapositioned with respect to the rear wall of the cover section and with the ball of the thumb in contactual relation with the flange 23 and ajutment 24 to dispose the end of the thumb in engagement with the material 28 as clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing. When the fingers are thus disposed, pressure exerted on the material 28 by the thumb serves to actuate the cover section to open position with respect to the body section as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. To close the case, the rear wall M of the cover section is subjected to pressure by the tips of the fingers to pivot said cover section forwardly over the body section a sufiicient distance to effect snap closing thereof through the medium of the spring 2|.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations.

It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the herein described use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it is adaptable. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction as illustrated and described as the same is only illustrative of the principles of operation, which are capable of extended application in various forms, and that the invention comprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an eye-glass case, a bottom section having a lip directed inwardly and upwardly from its front edge portion, a cover section pivotally connected to the bottom section and overlapping said lip, said cover section having an inwardly directed U-shaped recess in its front marginal portion, the base of said U being formed with an outwardly extending cavity throughout its extent, and a filling of friction material fitted in the cavity of the cover.

2. In an eye-glass case, a bottom section having an inclined inwardly directed flange extending along its front margin, a lip protruding from the inner edge of the flange at its center portion, a cover section complementary to the bottom section and pivotally connected thereto, the said cover section having a recess in its front marginal portion adapted to register with the lip and flange on the bottom section and defining an indented edge portion, the said indented edge portion being divided to form a transversely tapered pocket, and a filling of frictional material secured in and protruding from the pocket above the lip.

3. In an eye-glass case, a bottom section having an inclined inwardly directed flange extending along its front margin, a lip protruding from the inner edge of the flange at its center portion, a cover section complementary to the bottom section and pivotally connected thereto, the said cover section having a recess in its front marginal portion adapted to register with the lip and flange on the bottom section and defining an indented edge portion, the said indented edge portion being divided to form a transversely tapered pocket, a filling of frictional material secured in and protruding from the pocket above the lip and a coiled spring having its ends attached to the top and bottom sections respectively mounted to yieldingly hold the said sections in closed or open positions.

JAMES E. ROSS. 

